Michigan Dam Emergency; Shakeup At NASA Ahead Of Launch; What To Say When A Friend Is Struggling

Plus, what hotels are doing to win back customers. by Korva Coleman and Jill Hudson First Up [Dr. Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus response coordinator, listens during a meeting at the White House earlier this month.]( Alex Brandon/AP White House coronavirus task force coordinator, Dr. Deborah Birx, says she’s encouraged by new data that show declines in COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths in the U.S. Birx says [the declines can be seen in all but a few major metropolitan areas]( the Washington, D.C., metro area, Chicago and Los Angeles. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency after two dams in the central part of the state failed Tuesday night. As many as 10,000 people are being evacuated after Whitmer warned residents to seek higher ground immediately. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is asking for the names of Obama administration staffers who may have tried to seek intelligence on members of President Trump’s 2016 and 2017 campaign and transition teams. Graham’s request comes days after the acting director of national intelligence disclosed names of [Obama-era staffers]( who potentially sought intelligence connected to former national security adviser, Michael Flynn. A scientist who designed Florida’s COVID-19 dashboard said she's been fired for refusing to manipulate the data. Rebekah Jones says she was sacked for saying [she would not alter the data]( that affected whether Florida would reopen its businesses. ([Listen here]( Johnson & Johnson announced Tuesday that it will quit selling talc-based baby powder in the U.S. and Canada. The company said demand has declined, "fueled by misinformation around the safety of the product and a constant barrage of litigation advertising." [Lawsuits allege the powder causes cancer]( but J&J denies this. NASA's head of human spaceflight abruptly resigned on Monday, just one week before a test flight to send astronauts up in a new space capsule developed by the rocket company SpaceX. Doug Loverro said in a farewell message that he’d taken a “risk” because it was needed to fulfill the mission, but now realizes that it was a mistake that he must take responsibility for. [The nature of that mistake is not known](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Listen [Image from the book Toilet Paper Origami."]( Courtesy of Linda Wright Hotels have been devastated by the pandemic. One research firm estimates seven out of 10 hotel rooms in the U.S. stand empty — that is, if they’re open. To survive, many are adapting with extra-deep cleaning and contactless interactions. And it may mean rooms with no notepads, no pens — and no minibars. ([Listen here]( or [read the story]( A pandemic. Government on alert. Schools and offices closing. It was a scenario wargamer Margaret McCown had seen before. Just not in real life. Starting in 2006, when she was a war gamer at National Defense University, McCown spent two years running pandemic simulations for senior policymakers. And then a real one hit. "That was that uncomfortable moment where you find yourself a little bit living in your own war game," McCown said. ([Listen here]( or [read the story]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Before You Go [Annie Glenn image]( Ralph Morse/LIFE - Annie Glenn, a champion of people with speech disorders and the wife of astronaut John Glenn, died at age 100 from Covid-19, according to [The New York Times](. - The NFL has announced [new rules to tackle the lack of diversity]( in its coaching and front office ranks. - Here are five of NPR Music’s favorite solo performances from [the archives of its Tiny Desk concerts](. Performers include Jimmy Cliff and Julie Doiron. - When we see a friend going through a rough patch, it can be hard to know how to help. What do you say? What if you say the wrong thing? Rachel Wilkerson Miller shares tips from her new book, The Art of Showing Up: How to Be There for Yourself and Your People. ([Listen here]( — Suzette Lohmeyer contributed to this report. --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow [The New Normal]( on Instagram! [Sign up for The New Normal]( NPR's daily coronavirus email. And what is your new normal? NPR wants to know. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [dailynewsletter@npr.org](mailto:dailynewsletter@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Daily News emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy](